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“You may have seen something suspicious involving a black VW Transporter-style van close to the train station, which is seen to approach a young white boy aged six to seven at the roadside, who was tampering with a silver and yellow small mountain bike."

Redstone Hill, Redhill (Image: Google Maps)

Supt Edwards added: “A witness has described that child as being taken from the roadside into a vehicle similar to the one I have just described.

“Anyone who knows anyone with a vehicle that meets that description and was in the area yesterday, or if that was you, please contact us immediately in order that we can establish the safety of this young child.”

A full update was issued by the force at 7.30am, confirming the van pictured in the CCTV image had been ruled out of the investigation and the fact there had been no formal report of a missing child.

"A large police operation involving a significant number of officers and other police resources has been taking place overnight [Thursday into Friday] to trace the van and to establish the identity of the child," read the update.

"Reports of this nature involving children are extremely rare which is why we are treating it so seriously.

"At this stage, there has been no missing person report received in relation to a child but we continue to treat this incident seriously and will do so until the full circumstances have been established."

Community concern

Police added: "As a result of our enquiries, the owner of the van in the CCTV image we released last night [Thursday] has been traced and this particular van has now been ruled out of the investigation.

"However, we continue to look for a similar style, black, modified VW Transporter van with an 02 registration plate, no side writing, sliding side doors, three BBS-make alloy wheels (with the front nearside missing), no rear windows and with chrome sidesteps.

"It remains extremely important that if you own or know the owner of a vehicle like this which could have been in Redhill yesterday afternoon [Thursday] that you contact police immediately."

"We would also like to speak to anyone who was in Redstone Hill at around 4.30pm to 5pm yesterday or anyone who recognises the mountain bike and may have seen who was riding it yesterday afternoon.

"Local residents may be particularly concerned, but we hope our response reassures people how seriously we take any such reports of suspicious behaviour – our officers continue to work on this investigation and we will update on any further developments."

Anyone with information is asked to call Surrey Police on 101, or 999 in the event of an emergency, quoting Operation Bigfoot - or contact Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.